HANS JAMIL won his maiden Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour title when he captured the RM160,000 Swiss Garden Closed Championship at Damai Laut Golf & Country Club in Lumut, Perak today.
The 26-year-old from Kuala Lumpur shot a one-over-par 73 for a two-stroke victory. He marked his first win with an eagle at the 72nd hole as he finished with a three-under 285 total.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Jamil, after the round. “It was not easy but I am equally relieved that at last I have won on the Tour.”
Having turned pro as a 17-year-old, Jamil came close on numerous occasions, which will have made today’s victory all the more sweet.
He was also gracious in his post-match comments, noting that overnight leader, Kemarol Baharin, endured a torrid time over the back nine and said that he felt for the player who won at Templer Park last month.
Indeed, in a remarkable twist to the tournament, Kemarol shot eight-over on the back nine, en route to a five-over-par 77 final round that left him in third place. He made six consecutive bogeys from No. 10 to the 15th and then double-bogeyed the 16th hole.
The 29-year-old who won the I&P Templer Park Classic four weeks ago, led after the second and third rounds, and looked a solid bet to make it two out of two. But it was not to be as that back nine in the final round took its toll.
“My plan was to just try and make as many birdies as possible and then see where it all took me,” said Jamil, who only birdied the 11th hole before pulling off the eagle that won him the tournament on the last hole.
He hit a good drive down the fairway at the last and from 160 metres gave himself an excellent chance at eagle after coming to within five metres of the pin. He duly buried that putt and with it, lifted the trophy.
Iain Steel, who equaled the course record with a 66 in the third round, finished runner-up after firing a 75, which gave him a 287 total.
Leading Final Round Scores
285 Hans Jamil 69-73-70-73
287 Iain Steel 72-74-66-75
288 Kemarol Baharin 72-67-72-77
290 Rashid Ismail 70-75-73-72, R. Nachimuthu 74-72-71-73
291 S. Murthy 70-75-72-74
